IWC Big Pilot Watch

IWC first developed a Pilot’s watch in 1936. Early aviation pioneers all faced the same problem when it came to measuring the time. Pilots relied on oversized pocket watches to track their flight time and fuel consumption, but these pocket watches were cumbersome and difficult to access.

IWC attacked the problem by taking the pocket watch and designing a version that would fit on the pilot’s wrist over his flight suit. The first version of the Pilot watch was massive. IWC designed a 55mm case with a black dial, high-contrast luminous hands, and a rotating glass bezel. This glass bezel had an arrow which the pilot used to measure flight time. Pilots attached the watch to their wrist using an oversized long leather strap.

Today the IWC Big Pilot’s watch is smaller than the original version but still massive compared to other large sport or pilot watches on the market. Measuring 46.2 mm IWC Big Pilot watch is now available in steel or platinum. The Platinum Big Pilot’s Watch is limited to 500 pieces per year, and features IWC’s patented Automatic Pellaton winding system. IWC has maintained the original black dial design but added a date window at six o’clock and a power reserve indicator at three o’clock. With a seven day power reserve the Big Pilot Watch is in a class of its own.